Spring W.Va. International Film Festival ends Saturday

Alicia Vikander and Mads Mikkelsen star in "A Royal Affair," a historical romantic drama that fits the West Virginia International Film Festival's spring theme of "Love Springs Eternal." It is based on the true story of the 18th century love triangle between Danish King Christian VII; his wife, Queen Caroline, and the royal physician, Johann Friedrich Struensee.

Courtesy photo
"Amour" stars Emmanuelle Riva, who earned a Best Actress Oscar nomination, making her the oldest nominee of all time in the category.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The 2013 West Virginia International Film Festival spring festival begins Sunday at the Capitol Center Theater, 123 Summers St. Titled "Love Springs Eternal," it's seven days of films with a primarily romantic bent. There are also a few West Virginia offerings.

Before its official start, the festival has a special screening of the 1925 silent film "Phantom of the Opera" (starring Lon Cheney) with live musical accompaniment by organist Todd Wilson, who will improvise the score.

It begins at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 900 Washington St. E. Admission is $5.

Also, the festival is co-sponsoring the Oscar-winning drama "Amour" at Park Place Stadium Cinemas. The subtitled French/Austrian/German film, about an elderly couple whose relationship is tested when the wife has a stroke, won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film and was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Actress (Emmanuelle Riva, who, at 85, is the oldest nominee of all time in the category) and Best Directing and Original Screenplay (both Michael Haneke).

Showtimes are 1:45, 4:25, 7 and 9:35 p.m. daily. Tickets are $6.50 for matinees, children and seniors and $8.50 for adult evening showings. It is rated PG-13 (mature thematic material including a disturbing act, and brief language).

For the rest of the festival, tickets are $8 per film or $5 for students. A six-pack of tickets is available for $30. For more information, visit www.wviff.org. Unless noted, films are English language from the United States.

In 18th century Denmark, a young queen, married to an insane king, falls in love with the royal physician, who uses his influence with the king to enact sweeping reform and bring the country into the Age of Enlightenment.

Features screenings of "In Memory of the Land and the People," "Morris Family Old Time Music Festival," "Mucked," "Communication from Weber" and "Twelve Tall Stacks" as well as remembrances and refreshments.

Oscar nominee for Best Picture, Best Director (Benh Zeitlin), Best Actress (Quvenzhané Wallis, who, at age 9, is the youngest nominee of all time in the category) and Best Adapted Screenplay.

In a forgotten Louisiana bayou, Hushpuppy, an intrepid, optimistic and extraordinarily imaginative 6-year-old, is faced with her father's fading health and melting ice caps that flood her ramshackle bayou community.

Friday, April 19

6 p.m.: "Beasts of the Southern Wild"

8 p.m.: "Rust and Bone"

Saturday, April 20

Note that "A Royal Affair" and "Beasts of the Southern Wild" have been pushed back from their originally scheduled showtimes.

NOTE: The West Virginia short film "Miracle Boy," adapted from a Pinckney Benedict short story about a boy who risks his life to apologize to another, will screen at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, 8 p.m. April 18 and 9:30 p.m. April 20. The showings are prior to other festival films and included in their admission.